Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and prominent New York labor leaders have called on Congress to provide $59 billion to address catastrophic budget shortfalls that impact the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers in the state. The governor and labor leaders sent a letter to federal representatives enumerating the critical infrastructure projects that would be impacted without federal funding and the hospitals, schools and institutions that would be supported by it. New York State, New York City and other local governments face huge shortfalls due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor and labor leaders also called on Congress to repeal the tax change that eliminated the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT).
According to Governor Cuomo, 4New York State requires $30 billion during the current fiscal year and next to avoid massive disruption. New York City requires $9 billion, local governments outside of New York City require $4.5 billion, the MTA requires $12 billion, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey requires $3 billion. Federal funding would support:
- Rebuilding JFK and LaGuardia Airports, which employ thousands of private sector workers
- The MTA’s $51 billion capital plan
- East Side Access and new Penn Station
